Page 48 of The One I Love
Another kiss. Those seem to work. “Amelia, did you like doing that?”
She nods. “I did.”
“And did you like watching me finish?”
Her smile gives her away before she can say anything. “I did.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
I bring her into my arms, and she immediately wraps herself around me. Her fingers start playing with my chest hair as I trace small circles on her back. Perfection. That’s the only word I can think of to describe this moment. The only thingthat could top this would be sinking into her soft, wet heat, but that would only be the icing on the cake. Just being with Amelia, seeing her open herself up to me, letting me see a side of her that I don’t even think she knew she had, is a fucking gift.
“Thank you.”
I look down, but her eyes are focused now on her fingers tracing aimlessly on my chest. “For what?”
“Being you. Waiting for me. Being patient with me. Just…thank you.”
I roll her on top of me, giving me easier access to kiss her. I try not to deepen it, I know she likely has to leave soon, but it’s hard to stop. It’s going to be even harder not to do this every time I see her. And not want to do this every night.
“So,” she begins. “I think it’s safe to say the test went well.”
I laugh. It’s like she’s reading my mind. “I’d call it a success. I guess the question is, what’s next?”
I know what my answer is. We tell everyone, and I scream it from the rooftops. But knowing Amelia, and knowing how long it took to get us here, I doubt that’s going to be her answer. And while I’d love to do that, this is her show. I’m just lucky to be along for the ride.
“Is it bad that I don’t want to tell anyone?”
I swallow a groan, because I was afraid that’s what she was going to say. “I figured you’d say that.”
She takes my hand in hers and locks our fingers. “It’s just that as soon as everyone finds out, this isn’t going to be about us. It’s going to be about our moms, or our friends, or how you’re going to be a bonus dad. I just want time for us. I want to date. I want to send stupid text messages that make me giggle. I don’t know, it’s…I never got to do this. I’ve never dated. And I want to date for just a little bit without it involving everyone in my life. Is that bad?”
I shake my head. “Not bad at all. Is it going to kill me notbeing able to kiss you whenever I want? Yes. Am I going to go mad not being able to hold your hand or touch you when I see you? Likely. But I understand. And I want that, too. I want us, Amelia. And however you want to do this, I’m on board. I’m in. I’mallin.”
Amelia’s mouth finds mine, and we settle into a kiss that says everything.
We’re in this.
We’re committed.
We’re going to make this work.
Just as we let the kiss deepen, I hear a banging on my front door.
“Who the fuck is that?”
Amelia laughs. “Will they go away if you don’t answer?”
“Shane! Open the fuck up!” Simon’s yelling is only masked by the sound of his fist pounding against my door. “I want Mona’s, apparently you changed the lock on your door because my key doesn’t work, and I need to hear about your date. Let me in!”
I groan, knowing that he’s just going to stay there until I open. “I hate him.”
“No, you don’t,” Amelia says as she rolls off me, leaving a kiss on my chest for good measure. “Go answer the door. I’ll get dressed.”
I let out a groan as I begrudgingly get out of bed. “Do you have to go?”
“Yeah,” she says as she starts slipping on her bra. “I need to pick up Mariah so she isn’t suspicious.”
“Does she have a meet this week?”
